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Nolan

A s an Alpha vampire, I have everything I want in life. My band, fame and freedom, and no relationship. No girlfriend clinging to me, asking for things I don’t want to give her. Well, that’s not entirely true. My ex is still trying to sink her claws into me to force me to change my mind.

In a few minutes, she will no longer be an issue.

The summer months have been mild, making way for the warm September air. Gusty Santa Ana Winds beat against darkened windows that showcase the luminous full moon outside.

The backstage greenroom in this LA arena is fairly large and atmospheric, its low lamps casting a warm glow over the room.

Gold-framed mirrors give the space an elegant, artsy feel, and the evergreen walls and red brocade carpets add to the vibe.

The green armchairs and brown and red leather couches scattered throughout are filled with my bandmates and our fans.

Rex, Torin, Eli, and Ian are sitting around a coffee table covered in food and candy, talking among themselves as groupies try to butt into their conversation. Clusters of fans talk among themselves throughout the room.

The human groupie to my right is breathing down my neck and inching her gaudy nails up my thigh.

She’s one of the hangers-on who moves with us from one city to the next.

The petite blonde on my left is a local.

She’s drifted off to sleep on my shoulder and is breathing gently.

My band can’t survive without the fans who buy our music and come to our shows—they make our lifestyle possible.

But right now, I’m exhausted and wish they’d all just disappear.

I keep telling myself that I’ll snap out of this malaise, but it’s settled over me like a heavy fog that won’t clear.

In a few nights, Death by Dawn will play to our largest crowd of the tour, and I hope the show will spark inspiration so I can write music again.

I fear my muse has left me, and if I don’t snap out of this writing block soon, we may not have a next album.

Not that it would hurt my financial state significantly, but I need the next album to sell well so we don’t lose our record contract.

If we succeed, then Stella and the band will be set for life. It will fully support them.

“Sweetheart, it’s time to go.” I give the groupie my best smile. “You know the drill.”

With a pout, she stands, flicks her brown hair over her shoulder, and walks out of the room.

I gently shake the blond-haired comatose girl, and she comes to and looks up at me with sleepy hazel eyes. “Time to go. You need to crash somewhere else, cutie.”

“Oh, did I fall asleep?” Her eyes go wide. “God, I am so stupid. You put on a great show, Nolan.” She smiles and gives me a peck on the cheek.

“Thanks! Glad you enjoyed yourself. Get home safe.”

“Yes, of course. See you next time you’re in LA. I can’t wait to hear your new songs!”

Her words nauseate me. She can’t wait for my new material?

She needs to get in line because I too would love to hear my new songs.

How can the lead singer and songwriter of the most popular band in the country just stop creating music?

Rex and I write the songs together, but his musical arrangements are meaningless without my lyrics.

We’ve worked so hard to make Death by Dawn a household name, and we need to maintain our trajectory.

Other bands would kill to be where we are.

Our manager, Stella, walks into the room. Long black hair frames her pale face, and her bangs are spiked over her light brown eyes. Her signature leather leggings and off-the-shoulder sweater suit her rock and roll style well, and her steel-capped boots scream Don’t fuck with me .

After shooing all the fans out, she turns to me. “You ready to do this?” Her expression says it all. Even Stella is over my ex. Unlike me, my Beta manager never hides her true feelings. She doesn’t have to keep up appearances like I do.

“I’m beyond ready. Time to cut her loose and get rid of the toxicity in my life.”

“Come on then.” She tilts her head toward a corner away from the guys, and I follow. “I’ve already changed the passwords on our accounts.”

I lean against the wall and look up as the thorn in my side saunters into the room, searching for me like a heat-seeking missile.

When our eyes lock, Larissa smirks, and I tense.

We didn’t used to be like this. We used to have fun messing around, until she decided she wanted more than I was willing to give.

As she makes her way to us, I can’t help but feel relief that I’ll finally be able to move on from the drama and mess of our bad breakup. Working with her has become nearly impossible, and I know the toxicity isn’t helping my creativity.

Her long blonde hair is twisted at the back of her head, and wisps of hair frame her face.

Her lips are stained dark red, like wine, and smoky eye makeup frames her moss-colored eyes.

She’s wearing a sheer dress that shows off the ivory-colored shapewear underneath that hugs her long, lean body.

She looks like she just stepped off the runway in Paris, and I know she dressed specifically to capture my interest.

The reality is that I no longer care how she dresses. She no longer holds any space in my mind.

When she reaches us, she looks me up and down and then glances at Stella. “Hi, guys. You wanted to talk to me? Nolan, it’s nice to finally see you without girls hanging all over you. You know they can’t replace me.” She rolls her eyes and laughs.

The sound makes me feel like lashing out.

Everything about her makes me pissed off at myself for stupidly getting involved with the band’s social media manager.

Mixing business with pleasure has been my worst mistake to date, especially while we were on tour.

I’ve now sworn off relationships. They only cause trouble.

I wanted to enjoy this tour, but recently, I’ve been spending all my free time avoiding Larissa.

Stella clears her throat and looks Larissa in the eye, “We’ve been discussing the state of affairs between you two, and Nolan and I have decided that it’s best we cut ties and that you move on.”

Watching Larissa intently, I can see her wheels turning, and I brace for her response.

“What does that mean, exactly?” she asks.

“Well, to be blunt, we’re letting you go. Effective immediately.” Straight and to the point, which is why I keep Stella in my inner circle.

Raising her voice and bringing the band’s attention to us, she squawks, “You can’t be serious.”

“We are quite serious,” Stella says.

“Nolan, we’re so good together. I’ve done a great job for you and the band, building your social media platforms, and I know our break is only temporary. You’ll regret this—I know you will. I’ve been nothing but loyal to you and the guys!”

Crossing my arms, I steel my resolve. “Larissa, I broke up with you. This is not a break, and having you on tour with us is no longer working. We’re through.”

“Nolan....” she whines, stomping her foot. “You’ll regret this. You’ll miss what we had when your skanks no longer hold your fleeting interest. I don’t understand why you can’t see that I’d make a great vampire and life partner for you! I gave you everything .”

Stella takes over. “It’s time to move on. Nolan has tried to make that clear to you, and you’ve refused to listen. He’s through with this fling, and the band no longer needs your services. You’ll be leaving the tour tonight.”

Fire blazes in Larissa’s eyes. “You and your stupid band will regret this. You’ll wish you’d stuck with me. I’ll make your lives a living hell! That’s my promise to you, Nolan. Your actions have left me no choice but to become your worst nightmare.”

The Alpha in me rises, preparing for war. Threatening an Alpha is unwise, and the fact that she threatened my friends makes me want to show her she’s no match for my anger. However, I hold back and smile at her, throwing her off.

“It was good while it lasted, Larissa. I’m sorry for giving you the impression that this thing between us would ever be more.

I don’t want to turn you and have a scion, let alone be with you for the rest of my life.

We shouldn’t have slept together. I see that now.

You can threaten me and my inner circle all you want, but it’s a waste of time. Move on. I already have.”

She glares at me and then at Stella, turns on her heels, and storms away in a flurry of anger and aggression. Security comes into the room and escorts her out.

I look over at the guys, and Rex smiles at me. “You dodged a bullet, my man. She is a clinger like nothing I have seen before.”

I can’t help but laugh, and the band goes back to their conversation.

“There, problem solved. You owe me—I just handled your mess,” Stella says.

“You’re so good to me. I appreciate you more than words can convey.” I hope she can hear the sincerity in my voice.

She pats my shoulder. “At least you’ve learned your lesson. Please be more discerning about where you put your dick. At least stick with less clingy humans. Or even better, Betas.”

“You read my mind,” I say, grinning at her back as she leaves the room, probably to make sure Larissa actually leaves the area.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and the relief I was enjoying disappears when I glance down and see my dad’s name dance across the screen. I answer but cringe as I hold the phone to my ear.

“Hi, Son. You know you can call us. I feel like I’m always the one reaching out to you.” My dad’s warm voice rumbles in my ear.

He’s right. Even though he’s busy running House Stryker as Lord Stryker’s chief of staff, he always makes time for me.

“Sorry. You know how it is on tour.”

“Yeah, I know the nonsense that always comes from your mouth. Too busy for your family, but never for your fans and music.” His teasing tone stings.

I grimace. “That’s not true, and you know it. Besides, my music isn’t playing nice right now.”